Circadian Rhythm: How Internal Body Clocks Affect Men’s Health
Posted: April 17, 2019
Did you know jet lag or other things that disrupt your body clock can affect your weight, your health and your mood? A clock is not just a man-made concept. Scientists have found that the body runs with a strict internal sense of time that can cause serious issues when disturbed. If your sleep has been erratic, you may want to schedule a men’s health assessment to find out what is causing it and how it is affecting your body.
Weight Gain
A 2013 study in the “International Journal of Obesity” reported a link between when meals happen and weight gain. Furthermore, at night, insulin levels should drop, but eating at that time can cause them to increase. This leads to an imbalance in the system since the body is otherwise prepared for sleep. Another issue is that lack of sleep or sleeping and eating at irregular times can affect the appetite. Fatigue can lead to people choosing high-calorie junk food, and one study found that people who wake later in the day are hungriest.
Depression
The Baylor College of Medicine reports that shift workers are more depressed than people who work more regular hours and that their depression is more severe. It is unclear why this is the case, but it could be linked to a lack of regulation in the brain caused by the upset to circadian rhythms. If depression and poor sleep are accompanied by other symptoms, such as a poor appetite, a men’s health assessment might be the next step to determine whether they are related.
Disease
One of the most severe consequences of disrupting the circadian rhythm is the possibility of developing diabetes. Irregular sleep can in turn make insulin production irregular. Insulin aids in absorbing glucose. A body clock that is out of rhythm may become less sensitive to it, leaving the pancreas to produce more. Over time, the glucose buildup can be more than the pancreas can handle and might result in diabetes.
Irregular circadian rhythms are not just caused by lifestyle. A condition like sleep apnea can keep a person from sleeping through the night and lead to a long-term disruption of the sleep cycle. For more on sleep apnea treatment, contact Low T Center at 866-806-8235 or schedule your comprehensive men’s health assessment online.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.